Our Best Excursions & Day Trips from Nairobi
See the Wildlife Right Here in Nairobi
Or, Take an Easy Safari to Nearby Wildlife Parks!
Choose ½ or 1-Day Excursions
Our City Day Tours Offer Amazing Animal Encounters
Not all of Kenya's wildlife is found in the great legendary parks – there's plenty to see in town or just minutes away with our stunning Kenya day trips.
Nairobi National Park is a truly wild animal reserve just a hop from your hotel, where you can discover roaming lion, buffalo, cheetah, and more... all in sight of the city's downtown skyscrapers.
CAT Safaris offers daily full and half-day excursions to the city's magical animal enclaves – places that exist nowhere else. They're all easy and so much fun!
Key Itinerary Packages
Discover our most popular curated experiences, from private wildlife drives to comprehensive city tours.
Baby Elephants By the Dozens
We'll take you to see a delightful nursery of baby elephants feeding, playing, and just being adorable at the David Sheldrick Trust Elephant Orphanage, a popular choice for being one of the best things to do in Nairobi.
Picture the hungry babies running up to their handlers for their morning meal, drinking from giant baby bottles!
They lap up their breakfast and run off to play, like any toddler. You can even "adopt" a baby during your visit.
Ever Fed a Giraffe?
You can at The Giraffe Centre. Climb up the observation platform where you'll be eye-to-eye with a curious and colorful Rothschild's giraffe.
Reach out with some food pellets and a long, green tongue quickly laps up the goodies.
You may even get a giraffe kiss as thanks.
Into Africa – The World of Karen Blixen
You may know her as Isak Dinesen, the author of the world-famous memoir, "Out of Africa".
Her real name was Karen Blixen and she had a farm in Africa – a coffee plantation and manor house.
We'll take you there to see the colorful mementos of her amazing life.
Kazuri Beads
Step into this busy workplace to be immersed in a world of dazzling beads and pottery.
This artisan refuge and gift shop was born in the local community by women seeking self-empowerment through their imaginations and a desire to improve their and their children's lives.
Nairobi Excursions FAQs
There are three premier attractions just minutes from the city centre:
- Nairobi National Park: The world's only urban safari, located just 15 minutes from the city.
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A world-renowned sanctuary for orphaned baby elephants and rhinos.
- The Giraffe Centre: A conservation hub where you can feed and interact with endangered Rothschild giraffes.
You can visit all three in a single day with our Nairobi City Tour.
Nairobi enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year:
Dry Season (Jan–Mar, Jul–Oct): Mostly sunny with temperatures ranging from 20–26°C (68–79°F).
Wet Season (Apr–Jun, Nov–Dec): Cooler with frequent showers; temperatures stay between 18–24°C (64–75°F).
Advice: We recommend dressing in layers. Light clothing is perfect for the day, but a jacket is essential for early morning game drives and evenings.
The main international gateway is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), located 15km southeast of the city centre. It offers top-tier international connections and domestic flights to major safari destinations like the Masai Mara.
The best place is the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you can watch orphaned elephants during their daily feeding and mud bath sessions. You can also occasionally spot free-roaming elephants in Nairobi National Park against the unique backdrop of the city skyline. Both locations focus heavily on conservation education.
- Nairobi National Park: Exciting game drives and guided walks that are educational for all ages.
- David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Children love the interactive baby elephant feeding sessions.
- The Giraffe Centre: A safe and fun environment for kids to hand-feed giraffes.
Karen Blixen was a famous Danish author who wrote under the pen name Isak Dinesen. She is best known for her memoir, "Out of Africa". She lived in Kenya from 1914 to 1931, managing a coffee farm in the Ngong Hills. Her former home is now a protected heritage site, the Karen Blixen Museum.
Luxury Safari Lodges: Located on the edge of Nairobi National Park for a true "out of Africa" feel with private game drives.
City-Centre Hotels: Convenient for business and short stays, offering quick access to shopping and restaurants.
Boutique Guesthouses: Ideal for cultural immersion and personalized Kenyan hospitality.
A comprehensive day trip typically includes a sunrise safari in Nairobi National Park, a mid-morning visit to the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, and an afternoon at the Karen Blixen Museum or Giraffe Centre. Check out our Full Day Nairobi Adventure for details.
For a quick escape, our Half-Day Private Safari is the best option. It focuses on wildlife encounters in Nairobi National Park, where you can see lions, giraffes, rhinos, and leopards in a single morning drive.